XFL ratings decline by 50% from Week 1 to Week 2

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The XFL’s ratings were disappointing in Week One. Then they sharply declined in Week Two.

The four XFL games in Week Two averaged 665,000 viewers, which is a 50 percent decline from the four XFL games in Week One, according to SportsMediaWatch.com. And the four XFL games in Week One were themselves a significant decline from Week One of the previous iteration of the XFL in 2020.

Part of the reason for the lower ratings is that two of the XFL’s Week One games aired on ABC, while all of the Week Two games were on cable, with ESPN, ESPN2 and FX all airing games.

If there’s any good news for the XFL, it’s that the ratings decline from Week One to Week Two was slightly less than the USFL saw last year, when its ratings declined by 57 percent from Week One to Week Two.

32 responses to “XFL ratings decline by 50% from Week 1 to Week 2

  1. I have to give the XFL credit – these ratings are better than I expected. I thought the league would fold after week 2, but it seems as if they are going to suck a week or two more out of this.

  2. Wow – who could have seen that coming?

    It’s simple: If it isn’t the NFL or BCS football, not enough people care enough to make it work. When the TV money is gone, so are they.

    Maybe someone should call the Saudis and see if they’d like to fund it?

  3. I’m waiting for the USFL to start. It seems like a much better product, and it has good backing. It should be around for a few years, if not longer.

  4. I keep telling you people football is synonymous with autumn. The powers that be are so greedy they just see money signs and forget the essence of football which will never change-have the games played on Friday evenings in the fall!

  5. With all the advertising espn had done this is very concerning for them. All their radio shows and many of their TV programs have been pushing this league and one watched. 1st mistake was starting this right after the Super bowl. The young people with no family, their target audience, watches college bball now.

  6. No one wants to waste their time watching a bunch of players who weren’t good enough to cut it in the NFL. Plus, starting the season right after the Super Bowl is too soon. People need a little break.

  7. Their website has no statistics for players are teams. How can you know what to look for each game or talk about any teams or players with no substance?

  8. Because no one knows when the games are on! There is virtually no advertisement for them! I Love the product and my D.C. team is great with Greg Williams coaching the defense and all! My friend in Pittsburgh told me that I missed our game on Saturday!

  9. It’s an inferior product, getting little to no promotion, and only being shown on cable networks what do they expect

  10. Well some advertisement and awareness might help. I had no idea this was happening already lol.

  11. When there already exists a product as entertaining as the NFL, why would anyone in their right mind go out of their way to watch an inferior product???

  12. What’s sad is that guys who play in the xfl do so for the love of the game. You’d think we would gravitate towards this, but instead we prefer to watch guys like Lamar Jackson who quit on their teams (over money) in crunch time, or guys like Rodgers who won’t put in the extra work for $50+ million a year. And along the way the NFL has the gaul to lecture us on morality and race. The xfl may not be a superior product, but they’re much easier to root for. Guilt and greed are the cornerstones of today’s NFL.

  13. pkrlvr says:
    February 28, 2023 at 7:46 pm
    What’s sad is that guys who play in the xfl do so for the love of the game. You’d think we would gravitate towards this, but instead we prefer to watch guys like Lamar Jackson who quit on their teams (over money) in crunch time.
    _____________

    Lamar was injured. He did not quit, every single one of his teammates has said so. You have fallen victim to the Ravens front office propaganda.

  14. pkrlvr says:
    February 28, 2023 at 7:46 pm
    And along the way the NFL has the gaul to lecture us on morality and race.
    _______________

    Contrary to what some people are trying to gloss over, slavery actually happened in the United States. Unfortunately, some politicians are trying exclude any reference to slavery and racism from our schools. People need to be educated on these subjects.

  15. I’m a football addict. Someone please tell Dany and The Rock that I can’t afford ESPN, and I probably never will be able to after lockdowns and layoffs. The next “free” game isn’t on ABC until March 26th. Only 7 games on ABC? What the bell were these 2 thinking?

  16. They can combine with the other exhibition sport, LIV Golf … play three quarters of football then golf … loser gets a bus ride back with Greg Norman talking no stop for 5 hours.

  17. Many points made in the comments are worth pondering: Football as a traditionally fall thing, Inferior talent in spring leagues. Less money, less promotion. Post Superbowl football fatigue. Turning the page to college hoops and March Madness. There just might not be enough room or interest in a spring league. I don’t even watch college football, and while I get sad at the end of the NFL postseason, I haven’t found enough enthusiasm or interest to watch more than half a game of XFL or USFL, and then I stop paying attention all together.

  18. I love the XFL. The action has been very exciting. Very competitive games with big plays. We all need to get behind the XFL and support the league! Too many people are missing out. Just turn on your TV!!

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